Devika Chawla

Devika Chawla, known by her Artist Identity "Devika" is a US based singer / songwriter[1] of Indian origin known for her unique voice and soulful performances.  While she has trained in Hindustani classical music, she has always been at the forefront of fusion between Indian folk/classical melody & lyrics and a western sound.[2][3]

Devika Chawla
Birth nameDevika Chawla
Also known asDevika
OriginIndia
GenresPop
Indipop
Desi Hip Hop
Contemporary Sufi
Years active1999 – present
Websitedevikasmusic.com

Some of her signature tracks include "Kehnde Ne Naina", "Barkha Bahaar" and "Kothay Uttay" from her solo albums and "Ek Tera Pyar" and "Dil" in collaboration with Bohemia The Punjabi Rapper.[4]

Early life and education

Devika started vocal music training in New Delhi, India when she was eight years old. She continued her training and advanced to Ragas and Hindustani classical music.[5]

She moved to the United States for her undergraduate study in Computer Science at Georgetown University. It was during these years that she experimented with a fusion of Indian classical music and western compositions and teamed up with Holmes Ives and performed vocals for the album titled Satyriasis. After graduation she resumed her formal training in Hindustani classical music.[6]

Career

She released two top selling solo albums.  The first was "Devika" and the second was "Saari Raat" in collaboration with Shahi Hasan from Vital Signs, Noor Lodhi & Manesh Judge.  She has performed on various Sufi, Hip-hop and Pop tracks while collaborating with artists including Mike Klooster of Smash Mouth, Bohemia the Punjabi Rapper and Sarod maestros Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash.  

Her tracks have been featured on various thematic albums including Sony’s "Teri Deewani" & "Sufiaana – The Complete Sufi Experience", and Saregama’s "Colours - Sufi Ke Anek Rang" featuring renowned artists such as Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, A.R. Rahman and others.  Her rendition of the Bollywood classic "Tujhse Naraaz Nahin" was released in collaboration with Saregama Music.[7]

She is also the first Indian vocalist to be featured on Apple’s iMovie in the Bollywood trailer.  Her tracks have been featured on iTunes playlists like Love at First Sight, The A List – Indian Pop, as well as on playlists like Raga Lounge on Spotify. Her track "Jab Se Piya" created in collaboration with Holmes Ives, was remixed by Karsh Kale, Midival Punditz, Bombay Dub Orchestra and distributed by Six Degrees Records and featured on The Buddha Bar XXIII by DJ Ravin. "Jab Se Piya” was also submitted for Grammy consideration for the Best Global Music Performance category.[8][9]

Discography
  • Satyriasis (Shaken Not Stirred Records, 2001) with Holmes Ives
  • Devika (2007) with Shahi Hasan, Manesh Judge, Noor Nodhi, Anshuman Chandra
  • Teri Deewani (2007) a compilation with Artists including A. R. Rahman, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Kailash Kher, Rabbi and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
  • Ek Kaagaz (2008) an Internet-Only advertising supported single with Pralay Bakshi and Saazmantra.
  • Da Rap Star (2009) with Bohemia
  • Saari Raat (2009) with Shahi Hasan, Manesh Judge and Noor Lodhi
  • Colours : Sufi Ke Anek Rang (2009) a compilation with Artists including A. R. Rahman, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Sonu Nigam
  • Sufiaana - The Complete Sufi Experience : (2010) a compilation with Artists including A.R. Rahman, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
  • Judaiyan : (2010) a compilation with Artists including A.R. Rahman
  • Javeda Sufiaana : (2010) a compilation with Artists including Kailash Kher, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and others.
  • Bijuri - The Single (2011) with Zohaib Kazi from Coke Studio Pakistan
  • Lounge Nirvana (2012) a compilation with Artists including A.R. Rahman, Rahul Sharma
  • Phir Ek Tera Pyar (2020) Bohemia ft Devika *Remake of ik tera pyar - 2007)

References
  1. Khurana, Suanshu (1 December 2009). "Sufi Tunes". Indian Express. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  2. "Singer Devika Chawla is using her music to represent her roots in the West". Hindustan Times. 20 December 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  3. Mary, S. B. Vijaya (25 August 2022). "Singer Devika Chawla brings soulful sounds to her latest single 'Dil tenu'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  4. Kirpal, Neha (8 June 2023). "Sufi, Rock, Pop Blend Into Devika Chawla's Punjabi Fusion". India Currents. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  5. "Pop singer-songwriter Devika is creating magic with fusion". The Global Indian. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  6. "Devika Chawla". www.livetv.pk. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  7. "Top Tracks".
  8. "Devika Chawla".
  9. Buddha Bar XXIII by Buddha Bar, 2 April 2021, retrieved 9 September 2023
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